Traditional or Infrared? Start With the Experience You Want
This is one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners planning a wellness space:
Should I buy a traditional sauna or an infrared sauna?
There isn't one correct answer because they create distinctly different experiences.
Traditional sauna enthusiasts often prefer intense ambient heat, heated stones and the ability to introduce humidity. Infrared sauna users may prefer lower air temperatures and the sensation produced by infrared emitters.
Understanding that distinction makes the decision considerably easier.
How Does a Traditional Sauna Work?
A traditional sauna uses a heater to warm the room and heaters containing heating rods and sauna stones.
Traditional saunas generally operate at substantially higher air temperatures than infrared saunas. Depending on the heater and sauna, water can be ladled over heated stones, temporarily increasing humidity and creating löyly—an important part of traditional Finnish sauna culture.
The result is the hot, immersive environment most people picture when they hear the word "sauna."
For a luxury residence, traditional sauna also offers significant architectural opportunities.
A custom sauna can incorporate:
- Premium wood interiors
- Architectural glass
- Custom bench configurations
- Integrated lighting
- Feature walls
- High-quality heaters and controls
- Indoor or outdoor configurations
The sauna can therefore become part of the architecture instead of appearing to be equipment placed inside a room.
How Does an Infrared Sauna Work?
Infrared saunas use infrared emitters rather than relying primarily on very hot surrounding air.
That means the room can operate at a lower ambient temperature while still providing a heat experience.
For people who find very high-temperature traditional saunas uncomfortable, infrared can be appealing.
Infrared saunas are also available in compact configurations, which can make them practical for bedrooms, home gyms and smaller wellness spaces where a larger custom sauna isn't appropriate.
Traditional vs. Infrared Sauna Comparison
Heating method:
Traditional — heats the sauna air and stones.
Infrared — uses infrared emitters to deliver radiant energy.
Typical experience:
Traditional — hotter ambient environment with the option of humidity from water over stones.
Infrared — lower ambient temperature and radiant heat.
Steam/humidity:
Traditional — water can be poured over heated stones to raise humidity levels.
Infrared — typically a dry environment.
Design flexibility:
Both can be beautifully integrated into luxury homes, although custom traditional saunas provide extensive architectural possibilities.
Space:
Both are available in multiple sizes. Compact infrared models can be particularly useful where space is limited.
What About Hybrid Saunas?
Homeowners who don't want to choose between the two can consider certain hybrid sauna systems.
A hybrid configuration incorporates both traditional and infrared technologies, allowing the user to choose the experience depending upon personal preference.
This can be especially attractive in a multi-user household where one person prefers traditional high heat while another prefers infrared.
What Should You Look for in a Luxury Sauna?
The sauna category varies enormously in quality.
For a premium residence, we recommend evaluating more than price.
Look closely at:
- Construction quality
- Wood selection
- Heater quality
- Infrared emitter technology, if applicable
- Controls
- Glass construction
- Bench ergonomics
- Lighting
- Ventilation
- Electrical requirements
- Customization options
- Warranty
- Manufacturer support
A sauna that will become a permanent component of a luxury home should be evaluated more like an architectural product than a disposable consumer appliance.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Sauna
Another increasingly popular choice is whether to put the sauna inside the home or create an outdoor wellness environment.
An indoor sauna provides convenient year-round access and can be incorporated into a primary bath, gym or dedicated wellness suite.
An outdoor sauna can create an entirely different experience, particularly when positioned near a pool, cold plunge or outdoor relaxation area.
Premium outdoor sauna options are available from established manufacturers, including our brands such as Kohler, allowing homeowners to integrate sauna into broader landscape and outdoor-living plans.
Pairing Sauna With Cold Plunge and Red Light Therapy
A sauna does not have to exist as a standalone amenity.
Many of the residential wellness environments we help create combine sauna with:
- Cold plunge
- Red light therapy
- Hyperbaric oxygen
- PEMF
- Molecular hydrogen
- Massage and bodywork
Planning these technologies together creates better opportunities for room layout, electrical planning and overall design cohesion.
Where to Buy a Luxury Sauna
At Thriver Wellness Supply, sauna is part of a much broader approach to residential wellness.
Rather than representing only one modality, we bring together premium traditional and infrared saunas with cold plunge systems, hyperbaric chambers, red light therapy, PEMF, molecular hydrogen, Lemi treatment tables, air purification and other advanced wellness technologies.
Our Scottsdale experiential showroom gives clients an opportunity to explore wellness technologies firsthand and discuss their project with our team.
For clients outside Arizona, we ship, set up and install nationwide, working directly with homeowners as well as architects, interior designers and builders.
Our objective is to provide a true one-stop resource for the finest wellness equipment and modalities from leading manufacturers around the world.
Traditional vs. Infrared Sauna FAQs
Is a traditional sauna better than an infrared sauna?
Neither technology is universally better. Traditional saunas provide higher ambient temperatures and the classic sauna experience, while infrared saunas operate at lower air temperatures and use infrared emitters. Personal preference, space, design and infrastructure should guide the decision.
Can I have traditional and infrared in the same sauna?
Certain sauna systems can incorporate both technologies. Compatibility depends on the manufacturer and specific design.
Can I install a sauna in an existing home?
Often, yes. Electrical capacity, ventilation, dimensions, flooring, access and manufacturer installation requirements need to be evaluated before selecting a sauna.
Can a sauna go outside?
Yes, when the sauna is specifically designed and constructed for outdoor installation. Climate, foundation, electrical service and exposure should all be considered.
Should I choose my sauna before my home is built?
For a custom home or major renovation, selecting the sauna during the design phase is preferable. The project team can then incorporate the actual electrical, dimensional and ventilation requirements into the plans.
